New in Food: Stage and Radio, Koop & more

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the number of new restaurant and bar openings in Manchester and Liverpool, our monthly round-ups of the best new openings across the region every month should help you choose somewhere new to try – from chicken shacks to dessert-only cafes. Opening a new food and drink venue in Manchester, Liverpool or Leeds? Let us know – send the details to hiya@theskinny.co.uk.

New bars in Manchester

Stage & Radio

If you’ve ever wandered the many car parks that straddle the barren wasteland between the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, you’ll have spotted the curious Cuba Café jutting out from Port Street. It may have once been something of a neighbourhood staple, but has clearly seen better days – and is now being reincarnated as Stage & Radio, due to open at the beginning of May. The minds behind Ancoats’ The Cutting Room have transformed it into a three-floor 1950s-inspired venue for drinking, bar-led dining and dancing, paying homage to the building's past. Yes please. Port Street, Manchester

The Club House

The Club House in Spinningfields is now open for a summer residency, giving the area the outdoorsy edge that it thrives on come this time of year. Along with bar snacks and an alfresco seating area, the sports bar is completed by none other than its own mini golf course out front. Hardman Square, Spinningfields

[The Club House]

Wood & Company

Dusk ’til Pawn have just opened a new underground joint on South King Street called Wood & Company. They’re remaining slightly aloof about it, but by the looks of things we can expect to be lapping up more of the DTP stable’s masterful mixology. South King Street, Manchester 

New restaurants and cafes in Manchester

Milk Jam

If it’s a sweet tooth you’re looking to satisfy, keep your eyes peeled for the imminent arrival of Milk Jam, a collaborative effort from Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, Bake-O-Rama and Lushbrownies – aka Claire Kelsey, Charlotte O’Toole and Nicky Griffiths, respectively. All the right names, it would seem, who hope to open their dessert-only cafe sometime this month. City centre, Manchester

[Bake-O-Rama]

Tapeo

Still no official opening date for new Deansgate tapas joint Tapeo, but with the new signage and plush leather seating in place, it feels as though their aims to be running at some point in May should be met. Suppose it’s not like you’ll be stuck for Spanish small plates in the area in the meantime… Deansgate, Manchester

A new menu at Tattu 

Why, it only seems like yesterday that Tattu brought Chinese fine-dining to Spinningfields, but this month marks a whole year since it opened. To celebrate, it’s announced the launch of a new menu that continues to showcase Chinese flavours in a modern, contemporary way. As well as traditional favourites like beef fillet noodles and orange butter chicken, diners can sample a new lunch offering of dim sum and small plates. Hardman Square, Spinningfields

New bars in Liverpool

FU Baijiu

Epicured have now launched pop-up FU Baijiu, the UK’s first bar dedicated to baijiu – a Chinese spirit translating as ‘white liquor’ and allegedly the best selling spirit in the world. It’s strong stuff (40-60% ABV), meaning that whether you’re drinking it neat or as a cocktail, you’d be wise to accompany it with some of the dim sum dishes on offer. These include slow roasted pork belly in sticky black bean sauce, spring rolls, crayfish and crab potstickers, sweet and sour house pickles and more. Gradwell Street, Liverpool

[FU Baijiu]

New restaurants and cafes in Liverpool

Koop

Bold Street’s much-loved spit-roast chicken hotspot Chez Le Coq re-opens this month under the new moniker of Koop, which sees the space given a little extra TLC, while the promise of the same triple hitter of chicken, burgers and shakes keeps the change-phobic at ease. Bold Street, Liverpool, due to open early May

Carluccio’s

It’s an exciting time for the Carluccio’s brand, too, opening a new restaurant and deli this month in Cheshire Oaks. It may not be the most exciting news given the calibre of indies elsewhere in Liverpool, but it will mean we can cheer up a bit of miserable outlet shopping with some Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes – or a lunchtime glug of wine. Hiccup. Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Liverpool

Nightcrawler Pizza 

Nightcrawler Pizza is now serving up New York-style slices after opening at the end of April, promising a tempting combo of pizza, cocktails and dreams. After giving out 2,500 free slices on launch night, they’ve proven those dreams really can come true. Slater Street, Liverpool

Give Kitchen

Meanwhile, vegan restaurant (or ‘Inspiration Centre, Eatery and Organic Shop’ as it bills itself) Give Kitchen is also in full swing, having already enjoyed a steady stream of praise thanks not only to its one-for-one policy, where every meal you buy gives one to a homeless person, but also some top-notch brekkies, small plates and larger dishes such as smoked and roasted tempeh with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and vegetables; falafel and cous cous wrap with pomegranate tahini, and a sweet pimenton mock duck burrito. Brunswick Dock, Liverpool

[Give Kitchen]

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